SAD gets notice for CM’S poll fund remark

The district election officer has issued a notice against the Shiromani Akali Dal in connection with the remarks made by chief minister Parkash Singh Badal seeking funds for the poll campaign of SAD-BJP candidate from Jalandhar segment Pawan Kumar Tinu during a meeting with industrialists here.

The party has been asked to send its reply within 24 hours of issuance of the notice. Badal’s remarks have created controversy and the opposition has asked the election commission to stop him from campaigning. “I have taken suo moto notice of reports that appeared in news channels,” district election officer Varun Roojam said.

He said since the SAD had organised the meeting at Unison Engineering Industries near Pathankot Byepass Chowk in Jalandhar and hence the notice has been served on the party.

Sources in the administration said Atiq Ahmed, who had started work as the election observer for the Jalandhar parliamentary segment on April 9, has sent a report to the election commission in this regard.

Officials said as the chief minister spoke in Punjabi at the meeting, the observer did not understand the language since he belongs to Karnataka. After understanding the intent and context of statement, the observer sent a report to the election commission on Saturday.